Russia: increased grain exports by 8,3 times

Moscow / RU. (ami) According to the data of the Bank of Russia, in the first half year of 2009, the foreign trade turnover of Russia totaled 208,3 billion USD (55,9 percent to the first half year of 2008), including exports – 126 billion USD (53,2 percent), imports – 82,3 billion USD (60,7 percent). Export surplus remained positive – 43,6 billion USD (in the first half year of 2008 – 101,1 billion USD), declared the Federal Service of State Statistics (Rosstat). According to the data of Rosstat, in the first half year of 2009, grain exports from Russia totaled 10’174 thousand tonnes, an increase of 8,3 times compared to the same period of 2008. The country exported 7’025 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin (up 6,4 times) and 1969 thousand tonnes of barley (up 32,6 times). During the reporting period, rapeseed exports from Russia increased by 5,2 times – to 17,9 thousand tonnes, sunflower – by 3,6 times and totaled 88 thousand tonnes (source: agrimarket.info).